Must-Have Disney Advance Dining Reservations: Top Ten Picks
If you’re planning a trip to Walt Disney World, you don’t want to miss out on the essential Disney advance dining reservations, commonly known as ADRs. ADRs are a crucial step in ensuring a successful and enjoyable visit to the theme park. Without them, you might find yourself wandering around, stressed and hungry. This becomes even more important during busy months, which seem to be every month from January to December!
While most restaurants can be booked just a few weeks or even days before your vacation, there are a few hidden gems that require some extra planning. These reservations are the ones you should mark on your calendar and book at the crack of dawn, exactly two months prior to your vacation, to secure the perfect dining schedule.
But where should you start? Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered! Here’s a curated list of the top 10 ADRs you should prioritize for an unforgettable dining experience at Walt Disney World.
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THE CURRENT LIST OF TOP ADR’S TO GET IN 2023
- Sanaa at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
- Victoria & Alberts at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort
- ‘Ohana at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
- Steakhouse 71 at Disney’s Contemporary Resort
- Tusker House at Disney’s Animal Kingdom
- Boma at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
- Le Ceillier at EPCOT
- Oga’s Cantina Disney’s Hollywood Studios
- Cinderella’s Royal Table at Magic Kingdom
- Beaches & Cream at Disney’s Beach Club Resort
SANAA
This Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge restaurant is one of the best experiences on property, with an interesting and adventurous menu that has us coming back time and time again.
I’m actually updating this list after our most recent trip and although other reservations may have had us impressed – Sanaa was memorable in many ways.
The dining room is full of authentic African decor and has floor to ceiling windows that give you a view onto the savanna. Getting to dine with zebra, giraffes, kudu and ostriches (to name a few) is a huge part of the experience, especially in the early evening during feeding time!
You have to try to the famous Bread Service, which is definitely a hit! 9 accompaniments and 3 different types of naan bread.
VICTORIA & ALBERTS
This signature dining experience at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort is coming back, which means that you should definitely keep an eye out for future reservations!
Victoria & Alberts is by far and away one of the best experiences that we have had on Disney property – ever! This is not an understatement, and although just our experience, we were able to find a second reservation while sitting at the table for a time 3 months in the future and booked an entire vacation around it.
There are three dining options to Victoria & Alberts, and we’ll suggest that if you can get a reservation to ANY of the rooms…do it!
18 tables in the main dining room, 8 seats in Queen Victoria’s Room and the 10-seat Chef’s Table. Now you understand why this is an incredibly hot-ticket ADR to try to get. Starting at $250+ before you even walk through the door, this is classified as a “splurge” item while at the Walt Disney World resort. Put this on your Disney bucket list ASAP because you’ll see the best that Disney has to offer in this experience.
So far, we’ve had the opportunity to dine in both the Queen Victoria Room and the Main Dining Room (2x), and both are incredible experiences that I just love to talk about! If you can swing a reservation and be able to allocate the budget for this, you’ll never forget it:)
Related Article: Our Queen Victoria Room @ Victoria & Albert’s Review
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‘OHANA
‘Ohana means family, and this is by far one of the hardest ADRs to get!
Check out the menu, read reviews, ask friends. It’s so much easier to cancel a reservation than it is to wait until 3-4 months before your trip to get your ADR because you just won’t have the opportunity!
STEAKHOUSE 71
The former Wave dining room at Disney’s Contemporary Resort was redesigned with a nod to the 50th anniversary and renamed ‘Steakhouse 71’.
On our last vacation, we had lunch at the restaurant twice, with both being incredibly memorable. The food was a nice change from the typical fare found at the Magic Kingdom, which can be seen as some of the most boring and uninspiring on property. A 5-minute walk across the street from the turnstiles can gain you access to a restaurant that provides options for your entire party and really nice air conditioning.
I had the Stack Burger and the Prime Rib Sandwich, while Jill had the Vegetable ‘Wellington’ and the off-menu veggie stack burger. We found ourselves comparing other dining experiences against our time at Steakhouse 71, which should show the quality of the restaurant.
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TUSKER HOUSE
This was BY FAR one of the best buffet meals that we’ve had at Walt Disney World. Granted, we were there at 11:05am during the changeover and had a plate of breakfast and then a plate of lunch. Outside of that bonus, both my partner and I had a great meal that focused on more than typical “theme park food” that you’ll see at most buffets.
The sheer size of this restaurant will shock and amaze you, but this will give you a great opportunity to enjoy your meal in a quite area. Compared to Be Our Guest, where you’re in three huge themed rooms, Tusker House has multiple side rooms. OH, and I haven’t even mentioned that this is a character experience too!!
BOMA
Another new addition to the list, but Boma has taken the place of other ‘All you care to enjoy’ dining experiences due to the consistency and quality.
It is a splurge, but if you’re going to give a Disney buffet a chance – why not do the best of property. There are no characters here, but the rule that we’ve learned is that Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge is the single best collection of dining on property.
Plus – zebra domes are part of the dessert section….aka unlimited zebra domes!
Le Ceillier
EPCOT has been known for its dining options for years, including memorable quick service and authentic food from around the World Showcase.
Canada’s Le Ceillier signature restaurant is a highlight and definitely worth getting a reservation for. In addition to a wide range of appetizers and being one of the best steakhouses on property – this is one of the best spots to get a good poutine! Do it…you’ll thank me later!
Oga’s Cantina
This is a controversial one in the household, but I still think that Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge Oga’s Cantina is an experience that you should definitely check out…once.
Don’t go for food.
Don’t go for an amazing drink.
Just go to take in the immersive environment that the Disney Imagineers created for Star Wars fans!
CINDERELLA’S ROYAL TABLE
When I first experienced this Magic Kingdom signature restaurant, I was glowing! It was a one and done, but when you think about dining in the castle – it’s worth it.
This experience changed the way that I looked at the Walt Disney World resort. I would 100% recommend this experience for any die-hard Disney fan because nothing’s better than eating in Cinderella’s Castle!
Beaches & Cream
A hop skip and a jump from EPCOT, Disney’s Beach Club Resort is home to a cool spot that has been consistent for milkshakes, desserts and burgers. Go in with expectations of great air conditioning and a fun environment and you’ll be fine.
Oh, and they have the kitchen sink!
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Theme Park Advanced Dining Reservations Options
MAGIC KINGDOM
- Be Our Guest
- Cinderella Royal Table
- The Crystal Palace
- The Diamond Horseshoe
- Jungle Navigation Skipper Canteen
- Liberty Tree Tavern
- The Plaza
- Tony’s Town Square
Our Article about Magic Kingdom Dining Recommendations
EPCOT
- Akershus Royal Banquet Hall
- Biergarten
- Chefs de France
- Coral Reef
- Garden Grill
- La Creperie de Paris
- La Hacienda de San Angel
- Le Cellier
- Monsieur Paul
- Nine Dragons
- Restaurant Marrakesh
- Rose & Crown
- San Angel Inn
- Space 220
- Spice Road Table
- Takumi-Tei
- Teppan Edo
- Tokyo Dining
- Tutto Italia
- Via Napoli
Our Article about EPCOT Dining Recommendations
DISNEY’S HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS
- 50’s Prime Time Cafe
- Hollywood Brown Derby
- Hollywood & Vine
- Mama Melrose
- Oga’s Cantina (Lounge)
- Sci-Fi Dine-In
DISNEY’S ANIMAL KINGDOM
- Rainforest Cafe
- Tiffins
- Tusker House
- Yak & Yeti
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So, there you have it, fellow Disney fans—a carefully curated list of the top 10 must-try Disney advance dining reservations for an unforgettable experience. Remember to plan ahead, keep track of the reservation calendar, and be ready to secure your spot as soon as the booking window opens. Whether you choose to dine amidst wildlife at Sanaa, indulge in a fine dining experience at Victoria & Albert’s, or immerse yourself in the Star Wars universe at Oga’s Cantina, these ADRs are sure to add an extra sprinkle of magic to your Walt Disney World vacation. Enjoy and bon appétit!
